RAHIM YAR KHAN: The left bank of the Indus has been eroded by the flow of the river Indus, damaging the Minchan spur at Sonmiania and inundating several villages and agriculture land in the area.

The unpaved road on the Minchan Bund along with agricultural fields near Luda Mor, downstream from Jamaldinwali area, are the worst affected and residents have migrated from the area and settled in temporary shelters in the fields.

The affected area is close to the border of Rahim Yar Khan on the left bank of the Indus but lies in the jurisdiction of Rajanpur district. The Lund Mor is the most affected locality.

Shah Ali Lund, a resident of the area, said half of his land was submerged and the water was continuously endangering the remaining area.

He said the Minchan Bund was also at risk and the water had damaged its walls. He said that no official from the irrigation department or the district administration had visited the area.

Manzoor Ahmed, a resident of Chak Bailay Shah, said that this year the erosion had damaged the bastis of Shahbaz Lund, Shah Aali Lund, Allah Dewaya Lund, Bashir Lund and Chak Paru Shah on the left bank of the Indus.

Last year, most damage was caused in the months of January and February near Nabi Shah area. Damage was reported in Jamaldin Wali, Kacha Razi, Basti Malook Wali, Bangla Ichha, Bangla Dilkusha, Dilruba Camp and Shahpur areas. However, during the current year, the erosion has started almost 500 metres downstream near the Sonmiani area.

When contacted, RY Khan Irrigation Senior Engineer (SE) Khalid Mahmood Chaudhry told Dawn that he had reached the site and would share his detailed version later. However, he had not responded till the filing of this report.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2025